Opinions on Zeiss C/Y 85mm Planar?

[brucemuir]

Yes the L is spectacular. Haven't tried the Zeiss.

I recently picked up a Q Nikkor that was so cheap it was an insult.
I haven't had a chance to check it but besides the 105 2.5 I prefer a 135 after the 85 focal length.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

The 135 f2.8 is a good but not spectacular lens. For the price you can't go too far wrong, but it does have perceptible pincushion distortion - something you'd not expect from a Zeiss/Contax lens, but it's there. Thus the price. I'll content myself with shooting the 135 f2 L on my Canon rig when I want/need something in that focal length.

Yeah I know it's not a terrific performer and has some issues but for the price I'll satisfy my curiosity and see what I think. Plus I just got an AX body for a steal and had fun using it with the 85/1.4 Planar this last weekend. Thing was I found myself wanting something longer and the 180/2.8 was just too big to carry for this informal shoot I did so I figure I'll try the 135/2.8.

By the way the 85/1.4 performed flawlessly on the AX with hardly a shot not in tack sharp focus even wide open though most shots were at f/2 and 2.8 as it was quite bright out.

As for the 135 length I have some nice "Sonnar" types for my Leicas (the Nikkor-H, which has been a very nice performer) and for my Contax IIIa (I think the 135/4 Sonnar, I'm not home now to check). But using such on a rangefinder vs an SLR, especially the AX, is a very different experience.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Thumbs up Rich.
I know you'll put it to good use.
I've been eyeing the f/2 version but alas... that will have to wait for another day.

Post some eye candy once you get a chance to run it through it's paces.

I'd love the f/2 version but the size and $$$!

Anyway, for $159? Gotta give it a try eh?

 

[brucemuir]

I have the Contax rangefinders also and am confident the rf baseline will be plenty adequate for a 135 so I will eventually get one but have a Jupiter 9 that is super sweet so am in no hurry.

We have some of the same tastes Rich. I used to frequent Tilden Park and Grizzly Peak quite often when I lined in Oakland (Piedmont Ave) in the early 90's.

 

[elekm]

I've used the 135mm in Contax RF mount -- all three versions (original black and nickel, heavy chrome and lightweight postwar alloy). It's really a sweet lens.

I've also used the f/4.0 and f/2.8 Olympia versions in Contarex, and both are excellent lenses. The f/4.0 version likely is nearly identical to the final Contax RF version.

I've also used the f/2.8 version in Rolleiflex QBM and have found it to be an excellent performer. I haven't used it for architectural shots, so it's likely that I haven't noticed any pincushion distortion.

For $159, I think that you got an excellent deal.